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The Ghiss-Nekor coastal aquifer is characterized by high salinity stemming from multiple sources, remains poorly investigated. This study aims to address this knowledge gap by employing both univariate (descriptive statistics) and multivariate statistical analyses, including correlation matrix and principal component analysis (PCA). Groundwater samples were collected from 52 sites across the study area and meticulously analyzed for pH, TDS, EC, and the ions such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, NH4+, HCO3-, NO3-, NO2-,Cl-, SO42-, PO43-, and SiO2. Descriptive statistics, notably standard deviation (SD), highlight the diverse sources contributing to salinization, among which seawater intrusion (SWI) emerges as a significant factor. Correlation matrix analysis underscores multiple pathways for salinization, implicating SWI, salt dissolution, chemical weathering, secondary salt leaching, and anthropogenic activities. PCA elucidates 81.05% of the total variance in physicochemical parameters, with strong loadings observed for EC, Na+, Cl-, and Mg2+, corroborating the influence of SWI and suggesting evaporation processes. Moreover, PCA reinforces the potential influence of both geogenic and anthropogenic factors in salinization within the study area. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the elevated salinity levels observed in the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer, contributing to a deeper understanding of its hydrogeochemical dynamics.

Natural and anthropogenic factors control groundwater chemistry in the semi-arid area in northern Morocco called Bokoya massif. The main goal of this study was to evaluate the geochemical processes that affected groundwater mineralization in the Bokoya massif. As a result, In April 2016, sixty-one (61) water samples were collected from various locations, including wells and springs throughout the Bokoya massif, and analyzed for physicochemical parameters using standard methods. The descriptive study of the physicochemical parameters revealed that the waters were neutral to slightly basic (pH values range between 7,16 and 8,5) and moderately to strongly mineralized (TDS values range between 555,20 and 7980,10 mg/l). Sodium chloride was the dominant hydrochemical facies in the groundwater of the study area, with a percentage reaching (80%) noting the minority of magnesium bicarbonate facies and the absence of sodium bicarbonate and chlorinated calcium type. The tests of the ionic ratio (Cl- /Na+, Cl-/HCO3- versus Cl-, Ca2+/Mg2+, Ca2+/SO4-, Ca2+/Mg2+ versus Cl-, (Ca2+ Mg2+)/ HCO3-), indicate that the order of the dominant cations is Na+ >Ca2+>Mg2+>K+ and of the dominant anions is Cl- >HCO3->SO42-. It suggests that the dominant factors controlling water chemistry are rock dissolution and evaporation, silicate weathering, and ion exchange. Gibbs diagram defines the relationship between water chemistry and the lithology of the aquifer. It showed that most of the groundwater composition in this area is linked to the geochemical processes of evaporation and crystallization, and carbonates and silicate alteration control the minority.

In the Ketama region, irrigation used to depend on rainwater and surface water. However, with drought and water shortages affecting the region, farmers are increasingly relying on groundwater. “Recognizing the critical importance of water quality in irrigation, a total of 164 water samples were collected from various points and subjected to physicochemical analysis. The assessment of groundwater suitability for irrigation encompassed several parameters, including chloride, electrical conductivity (EC), percentage of soluble sodium (% Na), sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), residual sodium carbonate (RCS), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), permeability index (PI), Kelley ratio (KR), potential salinity (PS), synthetic harmfulness coefficient (K), irrigation coefficient (Ka), chloro-alkaline indices (CAI-1 and CAI-2), and irrigation water quality index (IWQI).”. Results showed that 43.29% (EC), 82% (Na), 68.40% (SAR), and 68.29% (Ka) of groundwater samples were excellent and that 77% (PI) of samples were suitable for irrigation. The IWQI revealed that 21.96% of samples are considered to have high restrictions. This study aims to provide crucial information on irrigation water quality in the region, providing valuable data for various stakeholders to make informed decisions on agricultural practices and the sustainable use of water resources, particularly in the face of challenges posed by climate change and water shortages.

Assessing spatiotemporal groundwater hydrochemistry evolution is crucial for sustainable aquifer management. The Ghiss-Nekor aquifer, located in a semi-arid coastal region, requires a comprehensive grasp of hydrochemical shifts for proactive degradation mitigation. Accordingly, the differential mapping technique (DMT) has been employed to assess the salinity evolution in the study area. In 2015 and 2022, 48 and 52 groundwater samples were respectively analyzed. As a result, an overall increase in salinity was observed within the Ghiss-Nekor aquifer, particularly near the shoreline, where in some areas the TDS variations (ΔTDS) exceeded +7000 mg/L. ΔCl- reached up to +129 meq/L near the coast. Similarly, ΔNa+, ΔSO42-, ΔMg2+, ΔCa2+, ΔK+, and ΔHCO3-, showed values up to +94 meq/L, +22 meq/L, +17 meq/L, +10 meq/L, +1 meq/L, and +5 meq/L, respectively, along the coast. In contrast, a decline in the levels of these ions was noted across most of the plain, especially in the southern portion. Positive major ions levels near the sea indicate ongoing freshwater degradation due to seawater intrusion. DMT approach showed its effectiveness in assessing the spatiotemporal changes occurring within aquifers. These findings advocate for broader DMT application in safeguarding aquifers impacted by salinization, promoting sustainable development.

Groundwater is a crucial drinking water resource for rural communities; however, the absence of adequate monitoring programs in these regions often results in uncertainties about groundwater quality. This study focuses on assessing the impact of nitrogen compounds from domestic wastewater on groundwater in rural communities within the province of Al Hoceima. The hydrochemistry of 33 groundwater samples was analyzed using various methods, including descriptive statistics, the Nitrate Pollution Index (NPI), the Chronic Health Risk Index (CHR), and a GIS-based spatial analysis. The investigation revealed significant contamination by nitrogen compounds in regions characterized by high population density. In these areas, nitrate (NO3-) and nitrite (NO2-) concentrations exceeded 50 mg/l and 0.2 mg/l, respectively, surpassing the WHO recommended limits. Notably, NO3- levels ranged from 0 to 89.63 mg/l, with 84.84% of groundwater samples contained more than 10 mg/l. The NPI values ranged from -1 to 3.48, with 33.33% of the samples were categorized as significantly and very significantly polluted. Additionally, CHR values ranged from 0 to 2.43 for adults, 0 to 2.03 for children, and 0 to 2.51 for infants. The CHR values exceeded 1 suggests that the contamination observed in the samples can be attributed to the widespread use of septic tanks in densely populated regions. Thus, to ensure the safety of rural communities, further assessments of health risks are mandatory.

In recent years, the sharp increase in nitrate concentration in groundwater has become an important health issue worldwide, and uncontrolled groundwater use can cause potentially dangerous problems for human health. The aim of the present study is to determine the degree of groundwater pollution in the Bokoya massif, located in the Moroccan Rif, and to quantify the non-cancer risks associated with its consumption. Two rounds of sampling were carried out during April and September 2018, respectively collecting 96 and 73 samples distributed between wells and springs covering the entire study area. The pollution index results showed that 39% and 41% of the studied springs possess a pollution degree ranging from moderate to very high during the wet and dry periods, respectively. Deterioration of the water quality is mainly linked to strong mineralisation from mineral dissolution of Palaeozoic and Predorsal rocks, and to the high concentrations of anthropogenic nitrates found in the limestone formation. The assessment of non-carcinogenic risk by oral exposure to nitrates showed that about 47%, 45% and 43% of the samples constitute non-carcinogenic risk to the health of children, adult women, and adult men, respectively. Children have a slightly higher exposure to non-carcinogenic risks. In a situation typified by both the scarcity of drinking water and a lack of population-wide information for the study area, the results of this study will help guide decision-makers and water resource management services towards a policy of limiting the sources of nitrates found in aquifers in order to limit the potentially harmful effects on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study deals with the adsorption mechanisms of methylene blue (MB) and formaldehyde (FA) in aqueous solution using cerium-doped activated carbon (Ce/AC). Firstly, the cerium-doped carbon material was synthesised and characterised by scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The experimental results obtained have shown that MB and FA molecules were adsorbed onto Ce/AC through various mechanisms. The resulting cation from the dissolution of MB was rapidly adsorbed during the first 5 min, and reached equilibrium after 15 min of contact time. Whereas, the rapid phase of methanediol adsorption, a molecule obtained by reaction of FA with water molecules in equilibrium with its anion, took place during the first 40 min and reached equilibrium within 150 min. The MB adsorption data fitted well Langmuir II isotherm model, while the FA adsorption equilibrium was non-linear. The covered surface by the both two molecules increased linearly with their initial concentration. Also, the FA molecules were more adsorbed compared to MB molecules onto Ce/AC. This result was consistent with the pseudo-second order kinetic model, showing the MB maximum chemisorbed elimination of 76% against 92% for FA. These findings clearly demonstrated the high ability of Ce/AC to adsorb dye and volatile molecules from aqueous environment. Therefore, the Ce/AC is promising material that can be used as an environmentally friendly adsorbent for wastewater treatment purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rainfall irregularity in the Al-Hoceima area places the Ghis-Nekor coastal aquifer as a primary resource for water supply. However, it is of paramount priority to adopt management and optimization plans that can mitigate the effects of the irrational use of the resource and the deterioration of its quality in the region of our study. In order to study the alteration aspects of this aquifer, 26 wells were sampled and their suitability for irrigation was assessed. The sodium adsorption rate (SAR) values indicate that most groundwater samples fall into the risk classes of high salinity and low sodium (C3-S1) and high salinity and medium sodium (C3-S2). The results also show a medium to high alkalinity risk due to the high concentration of HCO3 -. The excess of salts is largely due to the intensive exploitation of groundwater and to the phenomenon of salt-water intrusion into the coastal karst aquifer. As a result, the quality of groundwater is not adapted to sustainable agricultural production and soil balance, which requires controlled monitoring to ensure its rational use with a view to the sustainable development of the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]